Nancy Wenger will be getting some help following action taken by the Chenoa City Council Monday. The Chenoa city clerk asked the council to provide some part-time help in order for her to take advantage of the benefits due her — primarily, vacation time.

Wenger has been without an assistant since Anne Johnson left a few years ago. It cost Wenger her vacation time last year.

The commissioners discussed what should be required for the part-time candidate and asked Wenger what she is looking for in an aide.

Wenger said she felt that the candidate would need to learn how to run the office while she is away, including the inputting of bill payments.

The drafted applicant request calls for a person to be able to work two hours a day and to cover the office while Wenger is away. The pay is $10 per hour.

An added benefit is that the city hall office is likely to be open during the lunch hour. It is currently closed between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. each day.

Commissioner Ed Straw suggested that Wenger, who lost vacation time because of having no help in the office, should be reimbursed for that time.

The council accepted the bid of Rowe Construction of Bloomington for $74,420.32 for the Maple Street Project, which involves resurfacing the street from Chenoa Grade School to U.S. 24 (Cemetery Street).

Commissioner Eric Rhoda also said that H.J. Eppel Co. has begun sidewalk work on the east side of town near the Dollar General Store.

Bill Barrett spoke to the council regarding the property he is refurbishing. The location, 320 S. Fifth Ave., lies within a TIF district. It was learned that a regular homeowner couldn't benefit from the TIF program that a developer can benefit from.

There is, however, a program that a homeowner in a TIF district can take advantage of regarding taxing.

The part-time lawnmowers will be seeing an increase in their pay after the council voted to institute the budgeted raise. It had been held up due to negotiations between the city and ICOP, the union representing the full-time police officers.

There was discussion regarding the dock at Lake Silliman. Safety is the big concern and it was recommended to take it out completely and rebuild it.

Mayor Don Corrie said that Heller Lincoln-Mercury altered its price on an extended warranty for the newest addition to the police car fleet. It was agreed by the council at its June 11 meeting to purchase the extended warranty for $2,500 to cover the vehicle to 125,000 miles.

Corrie said he was told that $2,500 would cover the car for 100,000. He told the council that he did not make the purchase in favor of asking the council what it wanted to do about the matter.

Page 2 of 2 - The council went into executive session after the regular portion of the meeting to discuss the employment and retention of an employee. The council had held three closed session meetings recently regarding the employment of Police Chief Travis Cornwall.